Indy Trails To Benefit From Study

Indianapolis is one of 12 cities to share in a $1.2 million grant from the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, a national nonprofit that promotes the conversion of old railways to recreation. 

The money will be used for a new high-tech monitoring system along the Monon Trail. The sensors can tell the difference between bikers, pedestrians, strollers or dogs, information that’s helpful to planners, says Rhonda Romano, Midwest director of Rails to Trails:

"Trail advocates know how important trails are," says Romano, "but this is hard facts and data that they can use to advance trails."

Andre Denman, Indy parks planner Andre Denman says the data may also provide information about how the city can grow its greenways.

"What kind of events could we program along our trails," asks Denman. "Could we do some yoga, could we put up a lemonade stand?  What kind of things would people, depending on how they are using the trail, want along our trails?" 

The City invested $2,000 for the installation and the rest of the money comes from the Rails-to-Trails project that will combine the trail activity data over a three year period.

Local nonprofit Freewheelin’ Community Bikes also got money from Rails to Trails to expand their “Earn-a-Bike” program for kids.